[8]
literary matters better. ... He had plenty of humor and talks very freely, making us feel very easy; gave a rich account of a come-outer who came in to their “First day meeting.”
And later in 1849:
The Whittiers were very cordial to us, and I feel sure we shall know more of them.
He is, perhaps, the most attractive poet I have known.
Mr. Longfellow's polished gentlemanliness can be spared; and though he has not James Lowell's easy brilliancy, he yet makes himself very agreeable, and has the cordiality and affectionateness which J. R. L. wants.
The difficulty with the latter is that, however kind and familiar, he never appears the least dependent on any one, or to care to hear the opinion or feeling of another — never to go beyond the sphere of his own thoughts and those of his wife — to hold the world off at arm's length as it were; which, however agreeable to himself, is no way pleasant to others.
Now Whittier is willing to put others on a level with himself and make himself very entertaining too — a lovable person decidedly, I should think.
These notes are taken from a journal of the same date:
Talk with Whittier... Among other talk was mentioned Wright's attack on Garrison in the “Chronotype.” . . . “It is essentially true what he says of garrison,” said he. “I know him thoroughly, and know that he is a despot. . . . Garrison identifies the ”
